Joel Osteen: Why?

[Martin]

Why do so many Christians, including Baptists, watch and read Joel Osteen?

I know of several people in my Sunday School class, and in my church, who are strong Christians who watch and read Osteen. I want to ask them "why", but I never do. Why would so many Christians read and watch a man like Osteen? A man who does not preach the Word but rather preaches, by his own admission, what makes people feel good. Why would any Christian watch him? I just don't get it.

Maybe someone here can help me understand.

 

[Cutter]

I can't help but to wonder the same things.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

 

[sag38]

Osteen preaches one side of the gospel which is a dangerous thing. However, there are others who emphasize the other side which is just a dangerous. Perhaps thats the reason that some in our churches are drawn to Osteen is because of a lack of balance. Just an observation not an accusation.

 

[Cutter]

Osteen preaches one side of the gospel which is a dangerous thing. However, there are others who emphasize the other side which is just a dangerous. Perhaps thats the reason that some in our churches are drawn to Osteen is because of a lack of balance. Just an observation not an accusation.

Interesting observation that probably has alot of truth to it, in some if not most, cases.

 

[queenbee]

Osteen preaches one side of the gospel which is a dangerous thing. However, there are others who emphasize the other side which is just a dangerous. Perhaps thats the reason that some in our churches are drawn to Osteen is because of a lack of balance. Just an observation not an accusation.

Have often wondered the same thing re the "Osteen's" of this world, but you make a good point sag38. Personally, I couldn't 'sit' under this man's teaching; nothing against him personally - but his touchy-feely stuff would eventually lead to discontent and emptiness in my spiritual life. 'Something's missing' I'd be thinking, especially if I were stacking his teaching up against bible study. Perhaps that's the real problem - attitude? Too many people (including Osteen) wanting dessert and not getting into the meat.

 

[Jon-Marc]

I've never heard of him.

 

[tinytim]

I've never heard of him.

WHAT?!!!!
Have you been in a cave for the last 5 yrs? :laugh:

I have often wondered it.. and I think Sag answered it the best it can be answered...

We have been taught to "Preach a-gin sin" And So many pastors are good at that.. that the people feel beat on when they leave church...

Osteen has found a itch that needs scratched, and he is capitalizing on it... Literally.

Hmmm.... what does the Bible say about itchy ears?

We need Balance...

We need to "preach a-gin sin" as much as we need to tell them about mercy, and grace, and encourage them.

 

[Martin]

Osteen preaches one side of the gospel which is a dangerous thing. However, there are others who emphasize the other side which is just a dangerous. Perhaps thats the reason that some in our churches are drawn to Osteen is because of a lack of balance. Just an observation not an accusation.

==A very interesting and thought provoking idea. While it does not fit all situations it may fit a good number. However, and I must say this, even I went to a church were hell-fire and brimestone were preached three days a week I still don't think I could stomach sitting through a Osteen motivational speech. :wavey:

 

[righteousdude2]

Osteen is the Obama of the Christian Faith

Why do so many Christians, including Baptists, watch and read Joel Osteen?

I know of several people in my Sunday School class, and in my church, who are strong Christians who watch and read Osteen. I want to ask them "why", but I never do. Why would so many Christians read and watch a man like Osteen? A man who does not preach the Word but rather preaches, by his own admission, what makes people feel good. Why would any Christian watch him? I just don't get it.

Maybe someone here can help me understand.

Osteen is soft on sin. But, when you feel beat up and spiritually down, he can pump some breath back into your lifeless, oft deflated ego, id, and super ego. Still, Osteen is to the church what Obama is to the fanatics who have jumped on his political band wagon; and that is not a good thing!. :BangHead:

 

[Sopranette]

Osteen is soft on sin. But, when you feel beat up and spiritually down, he can pump some breath back into your lifeless, oft deflated ego, id, and super ego. Still, Osteen is to the church what Obama is to the fanatics who have jumped on his political band wagon; and that is not a good thing!. :BangHead:

There you go again....Obama this, Obama that.

Sopranette

 

[Purple Lady]

Why do so many Christians, including Baptists, watch and read Joel Osteen?

Why would so many Christians read and watch a man like Osteen? A man who does not preach the Word but rather preaches, by his own admission, what makes people feel good. Why would any Christian watch him? I just don't get it.

Maybe someone here can help me understand.

You said it yourself - he preaches to make one feel good.
I watched a couple of times just to see what was going on, but there is no substance to his preaching and he has bad theology.

 

[TCGreek]

Why do so many Christians, including Baptists, watch and read Joel Osteen?

I know of several people in my Sunday School class, and in my church, who are strong Christians who watch and read Osteen. I want to ask them "why", but I never do. Why would so many Christians read and watch a man like Osteen? A man who does not preach the Word but rather preaches, by his own admission, what makes people feel good. Why would any Christian watch him? I just don't get it.

Maybe someone here can help me understand.

Martin, we're weak in our theology as the church.

 

[Martin]

==A very interesting and thought provoking idea. While it does not fit all situations it may fit a good number. However, and I must say this, even I went to a church were hell-fire and brimestone were preached three days a week I still don't think I could stomach sitting through a Osteen motivational speech.

I have to proof read more. :laugh:

 

[Martin]

Martin, we're weak in our theology as the church.

Yep, that is very true. To prove it all you have to do is sit in on most Sunday School class discussions.

 

[Martin]

You said it yourself - he preaches to make one feel good.
I watched a couple of times just to see what was going on, but there is no substance to his preaching and he has bad theology.

That is the same conclusion I have come to each time I have forced myself to watch him. Lack of substance and bad theology.

 

[Tom Butler]

That is the same conclusion I have come to each time I have forced myself to watch him. Lack of substance and bad theology.

I don't know if JO has bad theology or not. I've never heard him preach any.

 

[tinytim]

Osteen is soft on sin. But, when you feel beat up and spiritually down, he can pump some breath back into your lifeless, oft deflated ego, id, and super ego. Still, Osteen is to the church what Obama is to the fanatics who have jumped on his political band wagon; and that is not a good thing!. :BangHead:

Osteen
Obama
Oprah....
Ozone

O what a mess we have!!

 

[Magnetic Poles]

There you go again....Obama this, Obama that.

Sopranette

Okay....Obama says turn around.

Obama says stand on one foot.

Obama says hop like a kangaroo.

Sit down.

Ooops...gotcha. Obama didn't say! :laugh:

 

[LadyEagle]

Maybe some people need to hear a message of "hope." Some people have had more than their fair share of heartaches, sorrow, and loss in their lives, even though they are born-again Christians. Joel Osteen is the very first to say that his primary ministry isn't evangelism, it is ministering to the Body of Christ, yet, he always gives an invitation at the end of each service.

As far as his theology goes, the Bible Study material offered by Lifeway which is probably taught in most SBC churches on Sunday mornings is what some people (like me) would consider pablum, not meat. I have run into quite a few Southern Baptists who don't know much of what the Bible says about anything, just for the record (being from IFB background myself), but now a member of a SBC.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but to point out that different people have different needs at different points in their lives. Sometimes people have had so much heartache and loss, they need to have hope that Romans 8:28 is still true, that God does have a plan for our lives, that we can't give up when we feel like all is futile.

I have never heard Joel Osteen preach anything that is out of align with the Word of God, and I believe I'm pretty well grounded in God's Word. And he never asks for money like a lot of televangelits do.

Most of us already know what sins we are guilty of and our failures, so hope is nice to hear once in awhile. It's not itching ears. Joel Osteen is just reminding people of the "goodness of God" like it says in Romans 2:4 - the "goodness of God leads to repentence."

Edited to direct you to this thread - 60 minutes Interview with Joel Osteen (in the News Forum):

http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=50620

 

[J.D.]

Martin, I share your frustration.

Ahab had 400 prophets on his payroll who's job was to tell him what he wanted to hear. He hated the prophet of God, Micaiah. Check it out in 1 Kings 22. People want to hear smooth prophecies to satisfy their tickling ears. That's just the way it is. Always has been and always will be till the Lord comes back.

But Osteen's popularity has to be unprecedented in history. In our visitation program, I can't tell you how many times people have said to us "we don't go to church - we like that guy Osteen on TV, so we just watch him".

Remember though, how that Elijah felt alone, but God said "I have reserved to myself 7000 men that have not bowed the knee to Baal".